THE aunt of lying Lisa Philips told last night how she was tricked by the fraudster into handing over her savings.

Philips convinced Tracy Sedgwick her Turkish boyfriend was plotting to steal the money and flee the country.

The schemer told her aunt that Ahmet Oktar, 41, was already scouring dating sites for sex and was about to leave her.

Trusting Ms Sedgwick, 46, transferred her money into Philips' account to keep it safe - but then the hair and beauty student began plundering her inheritance to pay off debts, buy gifts and fund holidays.

Ms Sedgwick, from Darlington, became suspicious when repeated requests to see statements were met with a series excuses.

She told how Philips had caused "so much pain and heartache" despite her being treated like a sister.

Along with her four sisters, who were also left money on the death of their parents, Ms Sedgwick shopped Philips over the fake pregnancy.

"I loved Lisa and treated her like a sister, we were so close but all the time she was robbing me and I can't forgive that.

"She managed to convince me that Ahmet had turned against me, that he was on dating sites and told me that the best way to keep my money safe was to entrust it to her.

"She went on a spending spree and would buy holidays, household things and spend a fortune on clothes from the TV shopping channels.

"I once went on a holiday to a Christmas market in Germany and watched her spend and spend on all sorts of things while I was on a budget and my money ran out - I had no idea it was my money she was chucking around.

"Then she came to court and got a suspended sentence after she claimed she was seven months pregnant. Straight away, people in the family started smelling a rat.

"I was very close to her and she would confide in me that she and her partner, Chris, had been having problems conceiving. They wanted a baby but had been unable to have one so it seemed very convenient that she'd suddenly got pregnant just as she was facing prison.

"Members of the family contacted police and told them to keep a close eye on her because we suspected she was lying.

"She did her best to keep up the pretence and the police told us she showed her probation workers a picture of a baby and newly decorated nursery. We don't know where she got them from but it certainly wasn't her baby she was showing people.

"She has caused so much pain and heartache and the fact she lied to get out of going to jail just added insult to injury. I hope now that she has time to reflect on how selfish, cruel and manipulative she has been.

"After what she did, there was no way the family was going to let her get away with even more lies and we took action."